Researchers at the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar, have proposed a roadmap for India’s fusion energy programme.

• The plan envisages building India’s first fusion–fission hybrid reactor, Steady-state Superconducting Tokamak-Bharat (SST-Bharat) as a step toward commissioning a full-scale demonstration fusion reactor by 2060.

About Nuclear Fusion

• Process: Fusion involves combining two light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing vast energy (e.g., energy source of stars).
• Conditions Required: Extreme temperature and pressure, similar to stellar interiors.
• Fission vs Fusion:
• • Fission splits heavy atoms; produces significant radioactive waste.
  • Fusion produces much less long-lived radioactive waste, making it more attractive.

Techniques of Fusion

• Inertial confinement: Using lasers/X-rays to compress fuel capsules.
• Magnetic confinement: Using strong magnetic fields to confine plasma at ~100 million °C.
  • India participates in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, France, which uses magnetic confinement (tokamak design).

Challenges in Achieving Fusion Energy

• Extreme Temperature Requirements: Plasma must be heated and maintained at millions of degrees.
• Sustained Reaction: Plasma confinement for long periods is unstable.
• High Initial Costs: Research and reactor construction require billions of dollars.
• No Commercial Fusion Yet: Current fusion experiments do not yet generate electricity.

India’s Roadmap

• Steady-state Superconducting Tokamak-Bharat (SST-Bharat)
  • Overview: The Institute for Plasma Research has proposed building the Steady-state Superconducting Tokamak-Bharat, which will function as a fusion–fission hybrid reactor. 
  • Output: It is expected to produce an output-to-input power ratio of 5, with 100 MW from fission and 30 MW from fusion. 
  • Estimated cost: ₹25,000 crore.
• Long-Term Goal: Commissioning of a demonstration reactor by 2060 with a power ratio (Q value) of 20, which is regarded as commercially viable, and a total output of 250 MW.
• Current Capability:
  • SST-1 tokamak at IPR: It has sustained plasma for about 650 milliseconds and is designed to reach 16 minutes. 
  • Global Record: By contrast, the WEST tokamak in France set a global record in February 2025 by maintaining plasma for 22 minutes.

Innovations Proposed

• Digital Twins: Researchers propose creating digital twins, which are virtual replicas of a tokamak that simulate real-time plasma behaviour and allow design testing before physical construction.
• Machine Learning Integration: Machine learning is suggested as a tool to assist in plasma confinement and predictive control, improving the stability of fusion reactions.
• Radiation-Resistant Materials: The roadmap stresses the need to develop materials capable of withstanding intense radiation in reactors, which will enhance durability and operational safety.
• Superconducting Magnets and Plasma Modelling: The development of advanced superconducting magnets and more sophisticated plasma modelling techniques is seen as essential for achieving efficiency and reliability in India’s fusion programme.

Global Comparisons

• ITER (France): The world’s largest magnetic confinement project aims for a Q value of 10.
• United Kingdom (STEP): The UK plans to demonstrate a prototype fusion plant by 2040.
• United States (Private Sector): Several private firms claim they will achieve grid-connected fusion by the 2030s.
• China (EAST Tokamak): China has already set records for plasma duration, reflecting rapid progress.
• India’s Timeline: India’s target of 2060 is more cautious and places it behind the global frontrunners, but it provides a long-term structured approach.

Challenges

• Technical Hurdles: Achieving plasma confinement for long durations and scaling up to commercial reactors remain difficult tasks.
• Economic Viability: The estimated cost of ₹25,000 crore and high R&D expenses pose major challenges, and fusion power’s affordability compared to other sources remains uncertain.
• Policy and Funding Constraints: India’s efforts are largely public-sector driven, with little private-sector participation, unlike the US and Europe where start-ups play a major role.
• Competition from Renewables: India’s commitments to net zero by 2070 prioritise solar, wind, and nuclear fission, which compete with fusion for funding and policy focus.

Strategic Value of Fusion R&D

• Technological Spin-offs: Research in fusion will yield advances in radiation-resistant materials, superconducting magnets, plasma modelling, and high-temperature engineering.
• Industrial Capacity: These developments can upgrade Indian industry, foster innovation, and strengthen technological autonomy.
• Global Partnerships: Participation in ITER and collaborations with international firms will bring project management expertise and innovation to Indian labs.

Way Forward

• Increased Investment: India must enhance funding for fusion research beyond current modest allocations.
• Private Sector Role: Greater involvement of private industry and start-ups is needed to complement public sector efforts.
• Global Collaboration: Partnerships with advanced programmes like STEP (UK) and EAST (China) can bring technology-sharing benefits.
• Focus on Materials & AI: Development of radiation-resistant materials, superconducting magnets, and use of digital twins with AI can address key technical bottlenecks.
• Policy Alignment: Fusion research should be integrated into India’s broader energy security and net-zero strategy to ensure complementarity with renewables and fission.
• Skill Development: Creation of specialised training and international fellowships is essential for building expertise in plasma physics, materials science, and nuclear safety.

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